Dance Commentary and Reviews by Heather Desaulniers, freelance dance critic, former dancer and choreographer, PhD in dance history.

Monday, June 17, 2013

LEVYdance

Photo: David DeSilva

Spring Season
at Home

Heron Street,
San Francisco

June 15th,
2013

Last week,
LEVYdance celebrated their tenth anniversary in true San Francisco style, with
an outdoor performance just steps away from their studio on Heron Street in
SOMA. Artistic Director Benjamin Levy and the entire LEVYdance family invited
their audience and their neighborhood to join them for a collection of
choreography from the past decade: “pOrtal” (2002), “if this small space”
(2005), “Holding Pattern” (2004), and “That Four Letter Word…” (2004). Multiple
vantage points – rooftops of adjoining buildings, the center area created by
the stage perimeter – reflected this group’s multi-faceted artistry and
vitality. LEVYdance is a contemporary company that takes creative risks, values
strong modern dance technique, and successfully marries form and content in
composition. Possessing all of these qualities and characteristics is less
common than you would think; in fact, it is quite rare. LEVYdance is special,
and another ten years of their work would be a gift to the larger modern dance
community.

As the title suggests,
“pOrtal” was all about being on the edge of something and the importance of
falling forward to it. Levy’s choreographic abandon coupled with the dancer’s
total commitment birthed an unprecedented level of excitement. There was no
hesitation, no fear, no trepidation. In addition, a deep sense of the
collective was present; a group effort; a responsibility to and awareness for
each other. Scott Marlowe and Paul Vickers’ duet was one of the most elegant
movement phrases I have seen in a long time. In particular, the lifts and
balances in their pas de deux defied all choreographic and technical
expectations. “pOrtal’s” final unison sequence brought together the two primary
narratives: living into the unknown while still working toward a greater goal.

“if this small
space”, choreography by Levy and Rachael Lincoln, aptly characterized the
notion of containment. Created in sonatina form, the solo piece had a
three-part feel to it, with an exposition, development and recapitulation.
Tasked with a purposeful space constraint, Marlowe (who also serves as the
company’s Artistic Associate) began with a shivering motif; his whole body
shaking and shuddering. The movement was tense and frenetic, yet somehow didn’t
seem stressful – certainly a tough state to attain, yet also very
representative of the small reflexive motions that happen constantly in our
bodies. Next, Marlowe moved onto some more serpentine, flowy sequences, though
still keeping within his prescribed space on the stage. Then, in the final
moments of the work, he came to a place of calm stillness: a beautiful cadence
for a stunning piece.

Of the four dances
on the program, “Holding Pattern” was my least favorite. Though it had some
interesting lifts and sequences (both of which looked like they may have
originated from contact improvisation exercises), it seemed very similar to
“pOrtal”. And while it was both visually compelling and well-danced, I kept waiting
for it to differentiate itself a little bit more.

The entire
company returned to the stage to close the tenth anniversary program with
2004’s “That Four Letter Word…”. At first I thought that this was the typical
‘relationship’ dance, of which most companies have two or three in their active
repertory. But as I continued to watch the four performers (Marlowe, Vickers,
Yu Kondo Reigen and Sarah Dionne Woods) cycle through Levy’s choreography, I
realized that this wasn’t just about relationships, it was a brilliant essay on
affection. Neither sentimental, farcical, angsty nor derivative, “That Four
Letter Word…” was real, honest truth. Even as some humorous dance theater
influences popped in (balloon props and a dramatic tango), the authenticity of
the message was still the driving force. Concluding with the most fantastic
quartet, the piece spoke to the essence of LEVYdance. Here is an intensely
talented group of artists with deep respect for their work and for each
other.